Loose steering feels like it has play and drifts

[hubble]

And so we keep waiting, and waiting, and waiting, and.................................

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[richk225]

I agree with Rhinebeck01, He is 100% correct on their being a combination of TSB`s put into one fix. There is a TSB out about the steering,TSB-08-092-18, I do not know if this is a 100% cure for the problem. I have not had it applied to my Jeep as of yet
Yes I am one of the unfortunate few that have the same drifting/wandering issue. If you look at one of my posts I was able to remove the ballpoint nut without a wrench.
I had also taken it upon myself to adjust the steering box. You can see the green dab of paint in my punch mark on the steering box, also the punch mark on the lockdown nut and at the top of the adjustiment rod. All 3 were lined up before I made the adjustment. I had to heat the nut using a torch to break the LockTite loose. Not a standard propane torch, Map gas set up. You can get them from any big box improvement center. I have delt with different thread locking products for too long to mention. A lot of heat quick to break the bond and turn it back into a liquid. It took less then 45 seconds to break the bond using this method. Does not damage the adjustment rod or the 4mm hexagonal socket. 15mm wrench is the other tool needed. I was able to adjust mine from the top and I believe that is thankful to the AFE CAI. Driving a short distance showed a huge improvement, close to what my 2017 Grand Cherokee’s steering is like. My steering returns to center after making a turn, much less of a dead spot and so far seeems tostay straight. Going for a ride on the same roads that were a problem in the past and will keep you posted

 

[JeepCares]

So I brought my newly purchased (literally 3 days ago) JLU in to the dealer service department after I told them, "My wife is afraid to drive it because you have to make perpetual micro-adjustments when driving at high speeds."

The first service tech I talked to thought I didn't know what I was talking about. So I called back later and talked to someone else. The second service tech really wanted to understand the issue and so I asked him to watch the Jeep Informant video, then I brought the Jeep in and demo'd the issue.

Without even taking the car out of park they immediately recognized something wasn't right and gave me a loaner while they get to work on it.

We'll see how it goes. I'll keep everyone posted.

My hope here is that after a slight castor adjustment and a tightening of the pinion nut I'll walk away a happy customer with very little inconvenience.

Hi stange8017,

We are sorry to hear that you are experiencing this steering concern as well. Please send us your VIN and mileage so that we can provide assistance while your Jeep is in service.

Darlene
Jeep Social Care Specialist

 

[Holymoly1963]

And so we keep waiting, and waiting, and waiting, and.................................

Thank God no one has gotten hurt while waiting..how long can that go on?

 

[richk225]

FCA ENGINEER VISIT UPDATE!!!!

This morning I met with 2 engineers who drove from Michigan to my dealer to go over my JL.

We went for a test drive and I showed them my remaining steering issue / concern.

The good and the bad. The bad is with the tire pressure corrected, Ball Joints now tight, TSB and 1/4 on the steering, It actually does not drive that bad at all now. I was also told the way the new steering box was designed, that specific steering box, to remove looseness in the steering, Doing it by the adjustment on the top of the box is not recommended and hence the nearly impossible lock tight. The steering box if it needed to be adjusted needs to be done as a whole and with proper tools and measuring devices. He showed me the steering box that I was suppose to get replaced a few weeks ago and went over how its designed. I get it and I truly believe this. If it was this simple the 1/8 for 1/4 would have fixed everything.

They checked the alignment and it was dead on and interesting my caster was like 5.1 and 5.4 which he thought was perfect.

This engineer was really cool and extremely knowledgeable. I am beyond impressed. Heck I think he had every tolerance of the JL memorized.

They drove down from MI in a JL. He also looked at 2 other JL's on the lot to get more data and details with the build date from those Jeeps.

He stated each part on the JL has a serial number. By looking up the data on these components, specifically the steering box, they can get the build date of the part and I am guessing recorded tolerance from the supplier.

He did go on to explain the JL was a complete redesign of the JK and even the steering was designed to require less effort. But they have received many complaints about the JL steering. What they have noted is, its not just been one item. Some complaints have been fixed with the TSB. Some with the tire pressure and some have no issues at all. Some new to the JL having owned prior vehicles with electric steering and so fourth finding the steering in the JL unsatisfactory.

But they did assure me they are working to compile all of the data on each vehicle they look at to come up with a solution.

For my concern, They will have a plan by next week for my service advisor.

 

[richk225]

Wow that sounds like a little too late. I thought they already knew the solution and everything would be corrected on the 2019.

Very interesting read, every JL should come with a torque wrench, 22mm scocket and 4 cotterpins so that as being the owner of a JL costing over $50k they can go and tighten their own ball joints. And it’s interesting that no one else could apply LockTite to a nut on the steering box adjustment nut other then the supplier of the steering box. Did they say how they would correct the caster if it was not what they felt happy with?
And to compare it to a JK ? Really?? Pretty lame. I guess I got lucky on the last all the JK`s I owned by having them go down the road straight. I have absolutely zero issues with the steering on my Grand Cherokee Overland. Like many my wife will not drive the JL.
I really wish that I did not trade in my JK for the JL. Missing welds, loose front end components, and that’s not even mentioning the minor problems. I know I threw out a lot of sarcasm here, but having owned Jeeps my entire life this has really made me wonder

 

[Covfefe]

This is why the Wrangler really needs a competitor, so they can't get away with whatever they want.

 

[JeepCares]

I took my 2-door 2018 JL Rubicon into the dealership today. I asked them to flash TSB 08-092-18. They told me that this TSB did not apply to my vehicle because it was built in June 2018. In fact this TSB could not be (force) flashed to my vehicle. Only vehicles produced before May 2018 could receive this TSB. They checked their database and didn’t see any service bulletin addressing steering issues for JLs built post May 2018. So (1) I’ll continue to watch this Forum for future fixes. (2) I will contact FCA and report my problem. And, (3) I’ll check with my dealership again at my next routine service appointment.

Hello BeauSabreur,

Did you contact us yet? We can escalate to the same team if you send us a direct message with your VIN. Very sorry for the inconvenience you've experienced and hope to receive an update soon.

Jasmine
Jeep Social Care Specialist

 

[richk225]

Very interesting read, every JL should come with a torque wrench, 22mm scocket and 4 cotterpins so that as being the owner of a JL costing over $50k they can go and tighten their own ball joints. And it’s interesting that no one else could apply LockTite to a nut on the steering box adjustment nut other then the supplier of the steering box. Did they say how they would correct the caster if it was not what they felt happy with?
And to compare it to a JK ? Really?? Pretty lame. I guess I got lucky on the last all the JK`s I owned by having them go down the road straight. I have absolutely zero issues with the steering on my Grand Cherokee Overland. Like many my wife will not drive the JL.
I really wish that I did not trade in my JK for the JL. Missing welds, loose front end components, and that’s not even mentioning the minor problems. I know I threw out a lot of sarcasm here, but having owned Jeeps my entire life this has really made me wonder

 

[soco32]

File a complaint with NHTSA. Couldn’t hurt.

Just filed a complaint with NHTSB. Maybe if enough of us do it Chrysler might speed up a resolution. I just returned from a dealer that kept my JLU for 3 days. When I picked it up it said nothing was done and that they had contacted Chrysler/Jeep and were told that Jeep intentionally built in the steering wheel play??? Maybe like Boeing would leave off a tire on a 747! I am going to open a STAR case with a dealer. Per the Jeep Care center, that will require Jeep to send a factory technician to evaluate the issue.

 

[old8tora]

were told that Jeep intentionally built in the steering wheel play??? Maybe like Boeing would leave off a tire on a 747!

Yep . Can you imagine an airplane with too much rudder play ?

 

[Jeepsterfreak]

Just filed a complaint with NHTSB. Maybe if enough of us do it Chrysler might speed up a resolution. I just returned from a dealer that kept my JLU for 3 days. When I picked it up it said nothing was done and that they had contacted Chrysler/Jeep and were told that Jeep intentionally built in the steering wheel play??? Maybe like Boeing would leave off a tire on a 747! I am going to open a STAR case with a dealer. Per the Jeep Care center, that will require Jeep to send a factory technician to evaluate the issue.

There are currently 126 steering complaints on NHTSA. How many does it take before Jeep recognizes there might be a problem? “Toledo, we have a problem”.

 

[chadc880]

I will say this from my experience yesterday. FCA upper management is well aware. I forgot to mention, While everything was wrapping up a man came over and introduced himself. He was one of the regional managers stopping by after hearing the engineers where coming to town. He was extremely nice, understanding and thanked me for my patients and persistence. From what I could gather it was one of my emails to the engineer who did that top 5 jeep complaint interview. LOL!! I think the biggest issue right now is getting the dealers fully informed and up to date with this steering issue. I am the only one at my dealer with the complaint. Without know the stats on how many JL's my dealer has sold, It is possible many dealers haven't heard of this issue yet and many that have, having one or two complaints would simply say "Its a Jeep thing".

On a funnier side note, I did have some humor with the engineers while test driving. I asked small quirks about the JL. Example why did they make the JL stock muffler now have a engine whine / drone noise when decelerating, if you weren't aware of where it was coming from you'd think your rear differential needed new bearings. (Prior ZJ Grand Cherokee Owners would get this). The stupid design for the drivers side sun visor hitting the plastic trim, the super annoying gas gauge dropping to zero when parking on an incline if at 1/4 mark. I tried getting more information on the TSB why what where. Of course certain things he couldn't go into detail what wasn't made public but it seems as the TSB just increased the electric pump pressure. And I tried asking about the heat and cold with the aluminum. Again if I understood him correctly, the components inside the new steering box are large and more heavy duty compared to the JK and they had done tons and tons of testing way before the JL was released with no issues with the steering box being aluminum. So for what all of that is worth to others.

 

[WXman]

I'm glad I got mine early in the year and had the PCM flash done to cure my steering before it evolved into all this jacking around with the steering box, etc.

This would have been a simple cure, but now it's turned into a circus and there is no longer a single fix. FCA should have addressed it early instead of letting dealers and owners try to figure it out on their own. A lot of people didn't know that JL was electronically controlled on the steering and software was the culprit.

 

[suchacrisis]

The PCM flash didn't work for me. I haven't gone back because I am waiting for Jeep to come out with an actual fix instead of arguing with a dealer and going back and forth dropping my Jeep off.

From what I saw a user posted adjusting the steering box and caster was the fix for them, but you are saying Jeep doesn't recommend touching the steering box, so I'm not sure what I should do now...

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